Ito in the Kushirogawa River
The Kushirogawa River in eastern Hokkaido is witnessing the final days of the spawning season for the critically endangered ito, also known as the Sakhalin taimen. This majestic fish, one of Japan's largest freshwater species, faces an uphill battle for survival.
Its natural breeding grounds are limited to Hokkaido and the Northern Territories, and only a handful of rivers have confirmed breeding activity. The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) has designated the ito as "critically endangered," while the Japanese Environment Ministry classifies it as "endangered."
During the month of April, the ito engage in a fierce competition for reproduction. An Asahi Shimbun reporter recently witnessed a dramatic encounter between two male ito, each exceeding a meter in length, their bodies flushed red with the intensity of the fight. The male paired with a female positioned himself protectively, preventing a rival from approaching.
The rival, undeterred, flipped his body and bit the other male's torso. The battle raged in shallow water, their bodies exposed to the air. The struggle continued for several tense seconds, a testament to the ito's fierce determination to continue its lineage.
Despite their resilience, the ito face numerous challenges. Local government road construction upstream has resulted in sediment accumulation in the spawning area, jeopardizing the survival of the newly hatched fry. The future of these magnificent creatures remains uncertain, hanging in the balance between their natural instincts and the impact of human activity.
As the yellow fuchsia, known as chiraiapappo by the indigenous Ainu people, blooms on the riverbank, a poignant reminder of the delicate balance of nature unfolds. The ito's fight for survival serves as a stark reminder of the responsibility we hold in protecting our planet's biodiversity.